'Te-no-uchi' is an essential factor in the correct manipulation of the shinai. It is simply not enough to just swing the shinai through the air and hit your opponent with all your strength. Anyone can "swing a stick" and "bash the daylights" out of another person. In Kendo, you must be in control of your shinai in order to accurately strike your target and prevent injury to your opponent.

A kendoist with good technique and control is a joy to watch (and practice with). He/she is a blend of synchronous movement, style, and finesse. Kendo involves controlling or mastering not only your sword, but your physical and mental being as well.

Instructors constantly "nag" students to "use more left hand and less right hand" when swinging the shinai. We do this because a right-handed person will naturally tend to use more strength or force with the right hand than the left when swinging the shinai.

I would estimate that the average right-handed kendoist uses 60- 80% right hand and 20-40% left. When this happens, shinai control becomes difficult and erratic. The right hand "pushes" the shinai off target. This is especially the case when striking 'men'. Instead of striking the 'men' squarely and solidly, the dominant right hand causes the shinai to strike the 'men' with a glancing blow that slides off the 'men-gane' (the steel grill). When the shinai does land squarely on the target, it is usually delivered with excessive force, causing discomfort and possible injury to the opponent. Redness and bruising, even through protective padding, are common occurrences when excessive force is used. I, personally, have seen "stars" when struck on the 'men' by an "out of control" student. I have received red welts and bruises through my 'kote' even when wearing an extra internal and external pad. This is not 'te-no-uchi' or shinai control.

What then of the left-handed kendoist? Since the left hand is emphasized, one would think that a left-handed kendoist would be a "natural". In my experience, this is not the case. I can't explain it, but every left-handed student I have taught, thus far, has exhibited the same habits as the right-handed student.

In reality, the left hand is not more important than the right. Both hands are equally important. Right and left hands should be balanced. When a sensei instructs a student to emphasize "more left hand", it is with the hope of both hands balancing out to 50% each. Both hands contribute equally to the manipulation and control of the shinai.

The JAPANESE-ENGLISH DICTIONARY OF KENDO by the All Japan Kendo Federation defines 'te-no-uchi' as follows: te-no-uchi (n.)Ability; skill; competence. The way of gripping the shinai. The overall use of the hands, e.g. tightening/loosening the grip or adjusting the balance between the two hands, when striking or responding.

Sensei Hiroshi Ozawa, in his book KENDO: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE, defines 'te-no-uchi' as 'balanced strength of hands at the moment of strike or thrust".

When performing 'suburi' (swinging the shinai), the shinai is moved in a large arc along an imaginary vertical plane that bisects your body at its midline. When raising the shinai, the left hand pushes the shinai away and upward from the body in a circular motion. The right hand guides the shinai along the imaginary vertical plane. Both hands work equally through the movement. When swinging the shinai, the left hand pulls the shinai down and towards the body in a circular motion. The right hand guides the shinai along the vertical plane keeping it from wavering during its downward travel. Again, both hands work equally through the movement. At the end of its travel, or when contact with the target is made, the shinai is "controlled" by the "squeezing" of both right and left hands on thehandle of the shinai. This "squeezina" of the handle is the key to shinai control.

When "squeezing" the shinai handle, the right and left hands simultaneously move inwardly toward each other in a "towel wringing" motion. The fingers, hands, wrists, and forearms tighten. The shoulders remain relaxed, not tight. The "towel wringing" motion is very slight and momentary. It is executed at the moment the shinai makes contact with the target.

The amount of force used to strike the target affects the amount of effort needed to control the shinai. As an example, when striking the 'men', use enough force to cut down to your opponent's eyes. This makes controlling the shinai easier. It would be more difficult to control the shinai if you were using the force necessary to cut down to your opponent's pelvis. With proper control, if the target were to move, the shinai should stop 2 to 3 inches below the target's original position.

To become a proficient kendoist, you must practice and master all aspects and phases of Kendo. 'Te-no-uchi' and shinai control should be a priority from the beginning of your study of Kendo.

Without 'te-no-uchi' there is no shinai control. Without shinai control there is no Kendo. Kendo without shinai control becomes merely a "brawl using sticks".

The following are exercises and drills that will help you to develop 'te-no-uchi' and shinai control.

This exercise was used by renowned instructor, Sensei Torao Mori, to teach balanced movement of the hands. It was taught to me by Mori-sensei's son, Sensei Chris- Mori, when I first started Kendo.

For this exercise, you will need several full-size sheets of newspaper.

Take a single sheet of newspaper and roll it lengthwise into a tube. The tube should be approximately the diameter of a shinai handle. Lightly grasp the paper tube with both hands as if holding a shinai. Using both hands equally, slowly and gently raise the tube over your head, as if doing suburi. Using both hands equally, slowly and gently bring the tube forward, as if swinging the shinai. 'Repeat this exercise several times each day.

*If performed correctly, the paper tube will remain intact and reusuable. If too much left hand is used, the paper tube will bend or crumple below the right hand. If too much right hand is used on the upswing, the paper tube will bend or crumple somewhere between the left and right hand. If too much right hand is used on the downswing, the paper tube will bend and fall over at a point above the right hand.